(CNN) — John McCain, the presumptive Republican presidential nominee, launched his first general election ad Friday, portraying himself as a strong, courageous and patriotic leader.

“John McCain. The American president Americans have been waiting for,” the ad’s narrator says.

Throughout the 60 second spot, images of McCain now, and during his days in Vietnam, flash across the screen while newspaper headlines superimposed behind the video call him an image for the future, ‘a real hero,’ ‘ready on day one.’

“What must a president believe about us? About America? That she is worth protecting? That liberty is priceless? Our people are honorable? Our future prosperous, remarkable and free?,” the ad’s narrator also says.

The ad, set to run in the battleground state of New Mexico, also features footage of McCain as a prisoner of war in Vietnam.

soundoff(124 Responses)

Dan, Illinois

Good Luck, John! Anyone BUT Obama in 2008!!

March 28, 2008 11:15 am at 11:15 am |

Joe Tester

Now that BHO wanted both ways again: He would have left his church had his mentor and hatemonger for 20 years stayed, didn't he just said he could not disown his mentor Wright, just as he cannot disown his white grandmother? Does he disown his mentor or not? Another proof of his hypocrisy, and phony claims.

March 28, 2008 11:16 am at 11:16 am |

CY from a non democratic country

CNN PLEASE POST MY COMMENT!!!!!

This is the person all democrats should be going after not Hillary and not Obama yet we sit here tearing ecah other down while this McSame is getting a free ride from the press. Same person that say stay the course in Iraq and the surge is sucessful and we should keep waiting for the economy to fix itself. Well, McBush not everyone is a millionaire and can afford to wait for the economy to fix itself..I have two friends in Iraq that literally tell me that the type of carnage going on in Iraq is something that have changed them physically, emotionally and spiritually. They don't even sound the same when they manage to call which is not often. I WANT THEM OUT OF IRAQ NOW. ANYONE BUT WARMONGER MCBUSH.

March 28, 2008 11:17 am at 11:17 am |

Mike

Can you believe that Democratic Party zoo ??? snickering

March 28, 2008 11:18 am at 11:18 am |

S.B. Stein E.B. NJ

McCain's service in Vietnam is commendable. This alone does not qualify him to be president. He served when few would. Given his stance has changed on Bush's foolish tax cuts (how do you expect to pay for the war) and his stance that seems so pro-war, I don't know if the country really wants to deal with that. I believe this is the time that business needs to be reigned in and taught how to behave. The Bush administration has gone so far out of its way to let business do things how it sees fit. That has to stop because business is only intersested in making money at the expense of so many other things including ethics.

March 28, 2008 11:18 am at 11:18 am |

Farrell, Houston, Tx

John McCain is still fighting the Vietnam war in his head and this is something you better believe.

March 28, 2008 11:18 am at 11:18 am |

Norm

He is an honorable man, To bad the reps put him out there to be sacrificed. No way he is going to win! I almost feel sorry for the guy, although he does put on a good face.

March 28, 2008 11:22 am at 11:22 am |

jane atl

Obama is ready on day one not you John McCain. See how many people are dieing in Iraqi. Tell Bush to send her daughters to war in Iraqi. You want to stay in Iraqi for 100yrs more and use our tax money to keep the arms there while people are lossing thier jobs, homes. Gas going higher and higher We can use that money to create jobs.
We don't want Bush in the white house again you are just like Bush

March 28, 2008 11:23 am at 11:23 am |

James

Uncle Sam,

Although Sen. McCain had served his country as a military member, there is a great misunderstanding concern what he did as a POW. As a fighter pilot, well let’s just say he was less than spectacular (he was shot down). Thank God he wasn’t killed. Now to address his volunteering to stay while other POW were permitted to leave, as the senior officer or an officer who was NOT order to leave by his superior officer POW he was required to stay. If he had left before any of his subordinates, he would have been seen as coward. Therefore, he did what he and any other POW was required to do.

March 28, 2008 11:24 am at 11:24 am |

NYC Democrat

Anybody who's a POW should be respected, but McCain's far from Presidential material. What's he going to do about the economy? What's his plan for balancing the budget? He doesn't deserve a single vote if he can't answer any of these questions! He should also make his medical records public. He could be hiding something about his health that voters wouldn't want to know.

March 28, 2008 11:26 am at 11:26 am |

bob

Four more years of the GOP is un-thinkable. I don't care if it's Clinton
or Obama, or some person off the street corner who can walk and talk
at the same time. Dems MUST win, or it's more of the same corrruption and incompetance. It also seems the "surge" is no longer
a success. Read the headlines Mr Bush.

March 28, 2008 11:27 am at 11:27 am |

Tom

Anyone know if this commercial was closed-captioned for the hearing impaired? Campaign commercials are usually not.

March 28, 2008 11:30 am at 11:30 am |

Belle

McCain is a War Hero...He ran a dignified campaign...unlike the Democratic MUD FEST going on right now.

His ad copies BOTH Clinton and Obama.

If Clinton and Obama would have a JOINT ticket...they would SLAUGHTER McCain.

March 28, 2008 11:32 am at 11:32 am |

Republican

get over the 100 years in iraq he didnt mean war for 100 more years u all know we have had military presence in many countries for 50 – 60 years no war just there 2 help out the same thing he means he said it himself

March 28, 2008 11:33 am at 11:33 am |

Mike

Was a democrat or republican ad. I can never tell with McCain.

March 28, 2008 11:39 am at 11:39 am |

bob

Too bad McCain's new ad did not show a clip of one of his trips to
Bermuda on Keating's aircraft-for a week or so in the sun at Keating's
mansion. Did he not learn anything about banking as a member of
the Keating Five?

March 28, 2008 11:40 am at 11:40 am |

Patrick M

As McCain is embracing Bush's policies, he's not going to win in November. I'm sorry for him.

March 28, 2008 11:47 am at 11:47 am |

AMW - Los Angeles

He can run this.....and when the Democrats get it all straightened out – he will loose. Sorry dude!

March 28, 2008 11:48 am at 11:48 am |

Cheryl

Wow! The ad is terrific! I paid attention, I felt proud, I listened, I understand, I admired and I got motivated. Mccain is definitely the right leader for America today. I trust him and that is more then I can say about all other candidates in this election.

March 28, 2008 11:53 am at 11:53 am |

Ric

Democrats for Mc Cain '08

March 28, 2008 11:55 am at 11:55 am |

Kris

Why does McCain waste his money. He won't have a chance against either candidate.

March 28, 2008 11:59 am at 11:59 am |

K. Lee

With all due respect to John McCain's military service and patriotism, we cannot afford another 4 years of Bush!! The U.S. would surely be a 3rd world country.

OBAMA or CLINTON '08

March 28, 2008 12:03 pm at 12:03 pm |

CY from a non democratic country

Look out America, this is the 3rd coming of Bush

March 28, 2008 12:03 pm at 12:03 pm |

Larry - Hazleton, pa

Mr McCain would be like having four more years of Bush – same ole stuff just a different day. Can anyone imagine that.